On 26th February 2026, Uganda’s tourism authority, or body, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, released a documented statement through the Office of the Executive Director, announcing key important updates related to most safari activities that revolve around primate tracking and booking procedures, as well as tourism-boosting changes.
The issued changes were made in the view and abide to boost the low-season sales or tourism, while ensuring fairer permit allocation, as well as clearly notifying travelers of the future UWA tariff adjustments to support conservation and sustainability funding.
In the previous years from 2024, when the Uganda Wildlife Authority last released conservation tariff rates that have been ongoing from 2024 to 2026 (effective July 1, 2024), the rates for the activities whose rates have been changed are
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | Rest of Africa (USD) | East African Citizens (UGX) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experiences | 1,500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | 250 | 200 | – | 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences | 300 | 250 | – | 250,000 |
| Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking | 100 | 80 | – | 50,000 |
| Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth Park | 200 | 150 | – | 200,000 |
| Guided Buhoma to Nkuringo Walk | 60 | 50 | – | 50,000 |
| Guided Rushaga to Nyabaremura | 60 | 50 | – | 50,000 |
The above are the previous UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) tariffs for the safari experiences of gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, chimpanzee tracking, and habituation experiences, among others. That has been changed in the tariff guide released in February 2026.
Another of the newly introduced updates to the UWA Conservation tariff are the low-season discounts.
It is worth noting that in previous years, the Uganda Wildlife Authority had tried many times to implement the low-season discounts, but the initiative had failed.
However, in this newly released tariff guide, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is determined to boost low-season tourism sales by introducing and effectively implementing the low-season discounts on different Uganda safari activities in the low-season months that fall in April, May, and November.
Some of the activities that have been offered major discounts in the low season include.
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 600 | 500 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | 200 | 150 |
These new rates are set to balance conservation needs with tourism accessibility in the low season, fund anti-poaching initiatives, fund habitat protection efforts, and help support local communities living around Uganda National Parks.
NB: These low-season or discounted permits will not have the rescheduling option.
The other new tariffs issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority for the different activities are set to be implemented effective January 1st, 2027.
The following revised rates on the UWA Conservation tariff guide include more specialized activities:
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | Rest of Africa (USD) | East African Citizens (UGX) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experiences | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | 300 | 200 | 100 | 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences | 400 | 300 | 250 | 250,000 |
| Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50,000 |
| Golden Cat Tracking in Kibale National Park (5 DAYS) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350,000 |
| Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth Park | 500 | 300 | 300 | 250,000 |
| Guided Buhoma to Nkuringo Walk | 100 | 50 | 50 | 50,000 |
| Guided Rushaga to Nyabaremura | 80 | 50 | 50 | 50,000 |
| Rhino Tracking in Ajai Reserve (Adults) | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10,000 |
| Rhino Tracking in Ajai Reserve (Children) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2,500 |
NB: The newly introduced safari activities include Rhino Tracking (Ajai) and Golden Cat Tracking (KNP, 5 days).
Despite the changes made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, there are several aspects and safari activities that have not changed rates through the remaining part of the year 2026, for example.
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | Rest of Africa (USD) | East African Citizens (UGX) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
OTHER ASPECTS, ACTIVITIES, AND EXPERIENCES MAINTAINING THEIR RATES
Another of the changes made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the removal of the 7-day reservation window, effective 1st March 2026.
Previously, Uganda tour operators have been using the Uganda Wildlife Authority booking system to reserve permits for their clients, which could last in the system for 7 days without immediate payment, after which, following the 7 days of non-payment, the system would cancel them automatically.
The disadvantage of this was that most operators would hold permits with no intention of purchase, which would block those willing to buy them from having access.
Therefore, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has suspended this system of reserving permits for 7 days and revised it to the system of reserving permits with immediate payments to be made instantly so that the booking and reservations remain fair for everyone.
This new reservation system is anticipated to make bookings fairer, promote transparency, reduce speculative bookings, and ensure access for all operators, especially those with confirmed clients.
All these changes made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority demonstrate the efforts being made by tourism stakeholders to support the Uganda tourism sector, as well as the tour operators and the tourists visiting Uganda on Uganda safaris.
Additionally, the immediate low-season permit discounts will make Uganda more accessible and worth exploring during the low seasons, hence contributing to the steady visitor inflows.
Overall, these changes strengthen Uganda’s position as an African safari destination as well as boost conservation-driven tourism growth.
With this good news, what are you waiting for? Contact us now and let us plan your Uganda safari tour today in the low and peak seasons for you to create lasting memories!
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Samuel
Situated in the heart of East Africa, Uganda is a land of staggering contrasts. From the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains to the vast, wildlife-rich plains of the Great Rift Valley, the biodiversity here is unmatched.
As you browse our safaris to Uganda and Africa at large, our dedicated team is here to handle every logistical detail—from securing your gorilla tracking permits and arranging comfortable safari lodge accommodations to providing rugged 4x4 transport. Contact our expert planners today to begin designing your 2026 or 2027 East African adventure.
